It depends on what you value most. The Horizon Mini IX is worth the difference if you want a nearly invisible completely-in-canal design and professional fitting across 20 adjustment bands; if budget and self-fitting are priorities, the Lexie is the more practical choice.
hear.com Horizon Mini IX vs. Lexie Powered by Bose
Check out our comparison of the hear.com Horizon Mini IX vs Lexie Powered by Bose. Listen to audio samples and see how the two hearing aids differ in terms of sound performance, features, accessories, and more.
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Quick Verdict
AI summarizedSummarized with AI assistance from our human-researched product information, in-lab testing, objective sound measurements, and expert ratings.
The real choice here is professional-fit discretion versus self-fit affordability: the Horizon Mini IX is a nearly invisible, professionally fitted device that costs roughly $4,050 more than the self-fitting Lexie Powered by Bose.
Horizon Mini IX
Choose the hear.com Horizon Mini IX if you want a tiny, nearly invisible completely-in-canal aid fitted and fine-tuned by a hearing professional across 20 adjustment bands, and the roughly $4,050 price gap over the Lexie is acceptable for that level of custom fitting and discretion.
Powered by Bose
Choose the Lexie Powered by Bose if you want a self-fitting, rechargeable receiver-in-the-ear aid you tune yourself through an in-app hearing test at a much lower price than the Horizon Mini IX.
What actually separates them
AI summarizedCare model: professional fitting vs. self-fitting
SpecThe Horizon Mini IX is a prescription device that a hearing professional fits and adjusts across 20 bands; the Lexie is an OTC device you tune yourself using its in-app hearing test, with no professional required.
Price gap
PriceLexie is the cheaper pair by roughly $4,050, a difference large enough to be the deciding factor for most buyers unless the Horizon Mini IX's discreet form and professional fitting are priorities.
Form factor and visibility
SpecThe Horizon Mini IX is an instant-fit completely-in-canal design built to be nearly invisible, while the Lexie uses a receiver-in-the-ear design that sits differently in the ear and is not aimed at the same level of discretion.
Product Overview
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Form Factor
Expert Rating
N/A
Score
4.2
User Rating
—
2.65 reviews
Hearing Loss Level
MildModerate
MildModerate
Product Features
Rechargeable
RechargeableiPhone
Expert Ratings
Compare comprehensive test results and expert opinions.
Horizon Mini IX
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HearingTracker Score
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE
This rechargeable device offers iPhone and Android call streaming, a new recharging case, and an in-app hearing test for personalized sound customization.
Read full reviewHearAdvisor SoundScore
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.4ABOVE AVERAGE
Lexie B2 Plus achieved a SoundScore of 4.4/5 and a SoundGrade of A in HearAdvisor lab testing. It ranked #7 of 65 OTC Hearing Aid devices tested. The OTC Hearing Aid category average SoundScore was 3.68/5.
Build Quality
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.6EXCELLENT
Lexie claims all of their products have an IP rating of 67 which is near the maximal egress protection for hearing aids. Beyond this, I found B2 well built with a good button click feel and robust portable charging case.
Battery
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.0AVERAGE
Lexie B2 has a reported battery life of 18 hours so it should last all-day for most people. It takes only 3 hours to recharge in its case which also doubles as a portable charger thanks to the internal power-bank.
Bluetooth
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
3.0BELOW AVERAGE
B2 does offer audio streaming though it is unfortunately limited to iOS devices. I found B2’s streamed audio quality mediocre but it is a useful feature to have for those of use using Apple products.
App Features
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.0AVERAGE
The phone app is one of my favorite features of B2. It is simple and visually pleasing while offering excellent personalization. Lexie has recently added an in-app hearing test making it even better.
Comfort
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
5.0EXCELLENT
B2 is a rather sleek receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aid. I found its comfort similar to that of prescription hearing aids and experienced no issues wearing it long-term (even with glasses).
Design
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
5.0EXCELLENT
Lexie B2 offers a sleek design similar to modern prescription hearing aids from major manufacturers. One potential downside is that it is only available in Gray, with no other color options.
Value
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
4.2ABOVE AVERAGE
Lexie B2 Plus has a value score of 4.2/5 based on lab performance and public display price.
Handling
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
5.0EXCELLENT
I had no issues adjusting B2 with the app or rocker switch. I found the physical buttons sufficiently large and tactile offering a good click feel when depressed.
Pro Support
Horizon Mini IX
Not yet rated by our experts
Powered by Bose
2.0BELOW AVERAGE
One downside to Lexie B2 is that you are limited to phone or email based technical support. Fortunately, B2 and their phone app are fairly user-friendly and you will likely not need regular assistance.
Lab Recordings
Listen to direct output recordings from our acoustic test lab.
Horizon Mini IX
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Busy Cafe
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Horizon Mini IX
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Quiet Office
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Horizon Mini IX
Lab recordings not yet available
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Streaming Music
Hear this scene unaided, for comparison
Horizon Mini IX
Lab recordings not yet available
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HearingTracker partners with HearAdvisor to provide recordings and performance data from an acoustic laboratory that follows standard scientific procedures. All hearing aids are fitted and performance-tested for mild sloping to moderate hearing loss. All audio samples cutoff above 10kHz.
Hardware
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Bluetooth® Audio
No
- Made for iPhone (MFi)
Rechargeable Batteries
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion
Volume Rocker
No
Yes
Software Features
Horizon Mini IX
Powered by Bose
Adjustment Bands
20
No
Adjustment Synchronization
e2e wireless 4.0
No
Directionality
Binaural OneMic directionality
Yes
Echo Reduction
Auto EchoShield
No
Extended bandwidth
12kHz
No
Extended Dynamic Range
Yes
No
Feedback Suppression
Feedback cancellation
Yes
Listening Programs
6
No
Noise Reduction
SoundSmoothing™: 3
Yes
Processing Channels
48
12
Self-fitting
No
Tuned based on hearing test through device
Tinnitus Relief
Yes
No
Unique Amplification Strategy
Advanced Focus Streams3Dynamic Soundscape Processing 3.05/5Speech & Noise Management5/5SpeechStabilizer
No
Wind Noise Reduction
eWindScreen binaural
No
Bottom Line
AI summarizedThe Verdict
This isn't a close call on price — the Horizon Mini IX costs about $4,050 more than the Lexie, so it needs to justify itself on fit and form factor alone.
It does that with a completely-in-canal design meant to be nearly invisible and a professional fitting process with 20 adjustment bands, which suits buyers who want a hearing professional dialing in their sound and don't mind paying for it.
Which is right for you?
The Lexie makes sense for buyers comfortable self-fitting through its in-app hearing test and who want a rechargeable aid without the cost or commitment of a prescription device. If invisibility and hands-on professional adjustment matter most to you, the Horizon Mini IX is the better fit; if budget and self-service setup matter more, the Lexie is the practical choice.
Before you buy
AI summarizedBook a fitting for the Horizon Mini IX
Ask the fitting professional to walk through the 20 adjustment bands so you understand how much fine-tuning is available for your specific hearing loss.
Run Lexie's in-app hearing test carefully
Since the Lexie is self-fit, take the in-app hearing test in a quiet room and redo it if your environment or hearing changes, since there's no professional adjusting it for you.
Compare the discreetness you actually need
Weigh whether the Horizon Mini IX's completely-in-canal size is worth its price gap over the Lexie's receiver-in-the-ear form, which is less discreet but far cheaper.